A Ka-52 helicopter of Russian forces in Ukraine. Photo by AP
Will the battle in Ukraine end for war helicopters? The huge losses of these devices they remember their weakness, but above all the need not to use them alone, say experts pointing to the mistakes of the Russian forces.
Full of long-range and short-term anti-aircraft defense systems, the Ukrainian sky became a dead trapl for these vehicles as described by many videos posted on social networks.
From February 24, the Russians lost at least 42 helicopters and the Ukrainians seven according to the expert blog Oryx, which aggregates material losses in Ukraine based on photos or videos collected on the battlefield.
Designed to support armor and ground troops, attack helicopters is particularly exposed.
A Russian helicopter was shot down in Kharkov. Photo by AP
From the beginning of the Russian invasion, “air defenses on both sides had a deterrent effect clear on helicopter operations, ”estimates Sash Tusa, a British analyst at Agency Partners.
Its effectiveness is in doubt
“Such unsatisfactory reminders of the realities of high-intensity warfare against opponents of similar strength weaken the case for further investment and maintenance of Western airstrike capabilities,” he wrote in Aviation Week.
In other words, the future of the helicopter as an attack tool is in doubt. especially since many of its missions can be performed by dronesCheaper.
From the first day of the war, the failure of the Russian attack on Hostomel airport, near kyiv, which was denied by the Ukrainians, showed the limits of the air assault.
A “Russian fiasco” that is not due to shortages of helicopters, but in the conditions in which they are used, says Joseph Henrotin, a researcher at the Institute for Comparative Strategy.
“The Russians did not do well. Before an air operation make sure the sky is clear and enemy aircraft defenses have been removed, ”he explained.
Michael O’Hanlon, an expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington, assured that the helicopters are “not obsolete, but attacking in a predictable area where the enemy is on alert doesn’t usually work.”
In Ukraine, a helicopter previously evacuated. Photo by AP
Supports
the Russian Mi-24, Mi-28, and Ka-52 helicopters, as well as their Western counterparts, the American Apache and Franco-German Tiger, were built during the Cold War. for large battles such as those currently happening in Ukraine.
“They were designed at a time when they could be used in Germany or Poland, with high fire densities and threats to helicopters,” Henrotin recalled.
The remains of a Russian helicopter in kyiv. Photo by AP
Before predicting the end of helicopters, it is necessary to see the “concept of use” that Russian aircraft have in Ukraine, said Patrick Brethous, military adviser to Airbus Helicopters.
“We saw a lot of Russian helicopters flying 100 meters above the ground during the day and were shot down. This is a very dangerous use of helicopters“, He added.
Also, for Henrotin, the conflict was a “pretty bloody reminder for the Russians of the most basic: a helicopter is not used alone”, but should be linked to all military means.
Some of its missions, such as reconnaissance, can be performed by drones, but they are complementary and cannot do everything.
“Right now, they don’t have the firepower of an attack helicopter,” Henrotin recalled.
The Turkish Bayraktar drone can carry four missiles, while the Ka-52, with 12 missiles, it’s still the “gunship of the sky”.
AFP agency
PB
Source: Clarin
